Arsene Wenger Dismisses Reports Bacary Sagna Will Leave Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has moved quickly to quash rumours that Bacary Sagna is on his way out of the Emirates (via Sky Sports).

The French defender questioned the club's selling policy after Robin van Persie and Alex Song departed this summer. ESPN reported his interview from L'Equipe:

Everyone was expecting Robin van Persie to leave, but Alex Song, that was a surprise. I don't understand that at all. It is a big loss for the club.

When you see two of the best players from last season leave, you ask a lot of questions. I understand why the supporters are nervous.

I am the only starting player left from 2007. In May, I watched City's parade on TV. I saw Samir and Gael lift the trophy. I want that.

Such comments shouldn't be taken lightly by Arsenal fans. Wenger insists his player remains fully committed at the club.

Sagna hasn't made an appearance since sustaining a broken leg against Norwich in May (via The Daily Mail).

In his four years at the club, the marauding right-back has proven a major success. Perhaps his spell on the sideline has provided too much thinking time.

Sagna will need to focus when he regains fitness, as Carl Jenkinson has performed admirably so far this season.

Since joining from Auxerre in 2007, Sagna hasn't had to work hard in order to maintain his place in the starting 11. Jenkinson's emergence ensures the 29-year-old will be looking over his shoulder for the first time.

Although he is likely to start when fit, Arsene Wenger may decide a change of personnel is needed when Sagna's contract runs out in 2014. The defender will be into the twilight of his career by that time, and he may have his Arsenal tenure cut short if he continues to disrupt.

Either way, Wenger certainly has his back against the wall, especially after chairman Peter Hill-Wood admitted Arsenal cannot compete with the Premier League elite (via The Guardian).

Right now, decent results will provide the perfect tonic for fans who may be disillusioned. If an unbeaten start can be built upon, the Gunners will remain an attractive prospect for Sagna and the club's other stars.

The Frenchman owes the Emirates faithful more than a set of ambiguous quotes, especially with the level of support Arsenal have provided him throughout his rehabilitation.